Rams downplay Bradford’s absence

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The most prominent St. Louis Rams newcomer missed the first day of rookie workouts. Teammates expected to see quarterback Sam Bradford soon enough.

Veteran A.J. Feeley, who’ll be the starter until Bradford’s ready, said yesterday that missing one day of practice is no big deal.

“It’s not the end of the world,” Feeley said. “You’d like to have him out here to work these guys, but he’s been through the whole offseason program.

“Sam’s a smart guy, he’s bright. I don’t see him lagging, I don’t see him sitting at home on the couch not doing anything.”

Offensive tackle Jason Smith’s experience last year might be a blueprint for the timetable on Bradford, given he and Bradford have the same agents, Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of St. Louis. Smith was the second overall pick last year and signed a five-year contract worth as much as $62 million, with $33 million in guaranteed money, in time for the first full-squad workout.

This year, the first workout is tomorrow.

Quarterbacks and players coming off injuries also are participating in the early drills. Smith missed the second half of his rookie season with a concussion and fractured a toe in June.

“I’ve never been the No. 1 pick, so I don’t know what he’s going through,” Smith said. “If I would have missed days, I would have missed a lot.”

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Kevin Demoff, VP of football operations, had reported nothing new in negotiations. The coach remained optimistic while also already seeming weary of discussing the topic.

“Like every other head coach, you want your players here, but I understand the process,” Spagnuolo said. “Can I take that line and put it on a tape recorder?”

Second-round pick Rodger Saffold signed a four-year contract worth as much as $6.8 million with $3.9 million in guaranteed money. He spent most of the first workout at left tackle with Smith on the right side. It had been assumed that Smith would start at left tackle to replace Alex Barron, who was traded to the Cowboys, with Saffold plugged in on the right side.

“Both those guys in my mind right now are interchangeable,” Spagnuolo said. “At this point right now we’re just looking for versatile guys.”

Saffold is wearing Orlando Pace’s No. 76 with the blessing of the seven-time Pro Bowler, although he’s yet to speak with Pace.

“He is a hard guy to reach, I’m finding out,” Saffold said. “He’s definitely let me know and there’s going to be a point where I get a hold of him and I’ll probably have nothing to say.”

Cornerback Bradley Fletcher, who missed most of his rookie season with two torn ligaments in his right knee, was among the pleasant surprises for the first workout. Fletcher’s injury required two operations and the team had feared last year’s third-round pick might not be ready in time for the opener.

“There isn’t a guy that worked any harder than Bradley,” Spagnuolo said.